Producer Sandy Pearlman dies aged 72

Sandy Pearlman: 1943-2016
Sandy Pearlman: 1943-2016

Veteran rock producer Sandy Pearlman has died at the age of 72.

He suffered a brain haemorrhage in December last year, leaving him “unable to walk, talk or fully comprehend his circumstances” prompting his longtime friend Robert Duncan to set up a GoFundMe page to help cover care costs.

Duncan confirmed Pearlman’s death via his Facebook page, saying: “Sandy Pearlman, poet, writer, songwriter, producer, manager, professor, polymath, visionary, passed peacefully, surrounded by love, at 12:30am, July 26, 2016, in Marin County, California. A celebration of his exceptional life will be announced later.”

Pearlman was best known for producing nine Blue Oyster Cult albums and a co-producing credit on the band’s trademark track (Don’t Fear) The Reaper in 1976.

He also co-produced Go Girl Crazy – the debut studio album by The Dictators, and oversaw The Clash’s second record Give ‘Em Enough Rope.

In addition to his production work, Pearlman managed Blue Oyster Cult, The Dictators, Romeo Void and the Dio-era Black Sabbath.

He was also president of 415 Records and vice president of 90s online music service e-music.

The Clash – Give Em Enough Rope album review

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.